Phyllis Earl Grey: A very special TeaTime from Brook37 Tea Atelier

A special tea time, with TeaTime and Phyllis Earl Grey from Brook37 Tea Atelier

Tea time with TeaTime Magazine is always a welcomed pairing, but add a custom tea blend from 

Brook37 Tea Atelier, inspired by the specialty publication's founder, Phyllis Hoffman DiPiano, and it's like settling in with a dear friend.  

Phyllis Earl Grey is a bespoke tea created by Brook 37 and is a tribute to Phyllis Hoffman DiPiano, who established Hoffman media forty years ago with her first magazine, "Just CrossStitch". She continued to add others to the mix including "Victoria", "Southern Lady" and, one that we are admittedly quite partial to, "TeaTime" which hit the stands in 2003. 

Phyllis Earl Grey a contemporary twist on the traditional blend. 

As a great fan of TeaTime, and since 2014, an occasional contributor, writing articles  on a range of topics from Highclere Castle (aka the "real Dowton Abbey") to tearooms in Italy to an "Escape to the Chateau" family visit to New York, we always look forward to TeaTime's appearance in our mailbox. 

Sadly, in 2023, Phyllis Hoffman DiPiano passed away. Her publishing empire continues with her family and family of amazing editors and staff, including Lorna Reeves.

With Lorna Reeves, editor of TeaTime, at Coffee and Tea Expo 2014.

With the new tea, honoring Phyllis Hoffman DiPiano, we knew we had to add it to our collection. Admittedly, we hadn't heard of Brook 37 before our order, but, we were confident we were in good hands.

And, good hands, indeed!  Our Phyllis Earl Grey arrived last week and we are instant devotees. The Phyllis Earl Grey is a contemporary twist on the traditional blend, with additions of lavender and pineapple, and it's delicious! It's balanced and flavorful and was designed to "inspire calm and creativity".  A tasty tea with benefits! 

Delicious tea designed to inspire calm & creativity in beautiful packaging. 

The packaging is beautiful, too -  a vibrant coral-colored tea tin with two lids to lock in freshness (also available in "eco packaging"). 

After a visit to Brook37 Tea Atelier's website, we were drawn to their grand selection (including wellness tea), their mission and commitment to sustainability. We just ordered another black tea blend and plan to order more.

In the meantime, we're taking some tea time with Phyllis Earl Grey and TeaTime Magazine. Grateful for this incredible woman who turned shared passions into our favorite publications. 

To purchase the Phyllis Earl Grey, shop at TeaTime or Brook37. 

Century-old Christmastime at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse paired with our remembrance of Northport just a few months past!

Lighthouse Christmas memories, depression glass, tea and salt cellars.

A century ago, the McCormick clan celebrated Christmas at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in a setting worthy of a Currier and Ives print. As the workplace of Innkeeper, James McCormick as well as his home along with wife, Mary, and their eight children, traditions of the holiday continued despite the unique abode. On Christmas Eve, the younger members of the family would craft gifts in the dining room while James monitored both the weather and the fireplace and Mary popped corn in a cast iron pan on the kitchen stove. 

Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

These memories were reprinted last week, courtesy, MyNorth.Com  from a book written by Betty McCormick Olli, the second youngest child of James and Mary ("The Way it Was: Memories of My Childhood at Grand Traverse Lighthouse", Lighthouse Publications, 1990).  It brought back memories for us, too, but much more recent ones. We visited the Grand Traverse Lighthouse only three months ago and not only climbed the very, very narrow stairs to the top, but had the opportunity to view many of the McCormick's personal possessions that Betty wrote about, including her mother's depression glass, prized Haviland china, reserved for guests and special occasions, and a set of porcelain canisters for sugar, coffee and tea housed on mirrored shelves (and we do believe we spotted a set of glass salt cellars!)

We also purchased the Grand Traverse Lighthouse souvenir book while there and it provides more information on the McCormicks, other innkeepers and lighthouse details.

Shelf filled with porcelain cannisters for sugar, coffee and tea. And, perhaps, salt cellars!

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a museum since 1987, is located in Northport at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. It's a cozy place filled with vintage charm and incredible views of the bay, which, if it was a VRBO today you'd pay dearly for. But, in that same lens, in the time of the McCormick's occupancy, the lighthouse home lacked many modern conveniences that would convince me to keep looking, especially the outdoor facilities. In the winter months, the route to the privy might mean facing an obstacle path constructed of several feet of snow. 

Kitchen stove where popcorn would be popped.

Dining room hutch holds Haviland china.

         

But, for all the challenges of living in a remote area of northern Michigan, hours of chores were rewarded with fun adventures in the woods and warm days in the lake.  

Very, very narrow staircase to the top.

Here, it's the destination - not the journey. 

And, at Christmastime, it meant a freshly cut tree decorated with candles, a warm fire, some tasty treats from kitchen, and, perhaps, a cup of tea. 

The climb is worth the view.

Scenic views abound at Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Wherever you spend the holidays, from our house to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings and a Joyous New Year!

For more information on this Northport lighthouse, see their website: Home - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

To purchase The Grand Traverse Lighthouse book, shop at Grand Traverse Lighthouse book - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

For more on the story of the McCormicks, see MyNorth.Com. (original article: 12/2/21)

Lady Camellia: A highly recommended afternoon tea time in Alexandria, Virginia!

 

Pretty tablescapes and amazing food make Lady Camellia tearoom a worthwhile visit!

Lady Camellia Tearoom review is provided by Pam Burkhart, BTS team member (and great friend!). She and her husband, Quint, recently visited Alexandria to share a fun birthday celebration with friends who live in Virginia. 

The Details: 

Tablescape: 
Very pretty pink-and-blue mix-and-match floral china.  
Each place setting had its own little sugar tongs, tea strainer, plus a three-sectioned dish for the requisite lemon curd, clotted cream, and butter.  

Each place setting has its own sugar tongs and tea strainer, 

The setting: 
The room is bright and pretty, not old-fashioned-stuffy, and not too-white-stark.  
The tables have a sort-of pearlescent light pink finish, a nice no-tablecloth-needed backdrop for the china.  
There are big windows for a view of the Potomac River.  
And the tea room is part of a small complex in Old Alexandria that includes an Indigo Hotel next door.  

Tea sandwiches: 
These were so good that I have to call them out separately from the rest of the food.  These were the freshest and best-tasting tea sandwiches we can remember.  
* The cucumber sandwiches were stacked with cucumbers artfully arranged in an overlapping scallop pattern, and very flavorful.  
* Roast beef sandwiches were super-tender and dressed with a quite tasty herbed mayonnaise.  

* The smoked salmon and chicken salad were both also delish.   

Three-tiered tray includes delicious tea fare: scones, sweets and savories.

Scones etc: 

We were offered choices of homemade scones.  That day's offering was plain or cranberry orange.  And that middle tier of the tea tray also came with mini-croissants (plain or chocolate), and an apple tart.  

The top tier: 
Six options, including fruit tarts, red velvet cupcakes, two flavors of panna cotta, macarons.  Everything was homemade and fresh and delicious.  

And, for the birthday girl, her red velvet cupcake came with a candle on a plate inscribed with Happy Birthday! in chocolate icing...

The GF tray: 
The "avoid-gluten" member of our party got his own tray, and called it a truly "no compromise" offering.  He was surprised and delighted to (for once :-) feel like he was not missing out -- everything was delicious.  

Bottom line:

We've had tea at Claridge's in London and Cafe Florian in Venice, and I've had tea at the Hong Kong Ritz -- and Lady Camellia is our hands-down favorite..!

We're thinking road trip, 2025! 😍 Thanks to Pam B. for this wonderfully descriptive review.

For more information on Lady Camellia, visit their website at :  www.ladycamellia.com

Tablescape Competition: The Super Bowl of dining decor (where one can use their "soup-er bowls")

Tablescape would have points taken off for unevenly placed flatware

 

Taking risks. out-strategizing the opposition. Creative coordinating.

If these all sound like Dan Campbell's approach to a winning football team, he shares the same qualities of those who take setting a table to a whole new level with Competitive Tablescaping. 

While many of us may be seasonal table decorators - those that get the calling during the holiday season to bring out the "good china" and splurge on festive and fragrant centerpieces - there are others who view tablescaping as an art worthy of competition -  as stiff as your grandmother's starched linen napkins. 

In a recent NYT's article "Inside the World of Competitive Tablescaping", the word "tablescaping" is credited to British designer, David Hicks. In the 1960's, he defined the term as the "discipline of selection".  Though this craft was the focus of many state and county fair competitions prior to its mid-20th century label, its resurgence has tablescape devotees upping the ante for game day. These are not just tables set with damask tablecloths and matching dinnerware, but rather, tricked out tabletops that push the boundaries of traditional dining decor.

The big day is here. Finalizing the game plan.

At the Los Angeles County fair, tablescape participants bring their imaginations and glue guns to the arena, ready to assemble well crafted table vignettes in four hours or less. 

Judges look for creativity, originality, use of color, correctness and presentation - having qualities that not only tell you something but make "you feel something".

To achieve those feelz, participants focus on themes ranging from historical palaces to quiet parlors such as "Lunch at Versailles" and "Helen's Birthday Party". The latter's imagined host is a "lonely cat lady" whose guests include three of her current feline friends, Princess Fishbone, Mr. Tinkles and Muffy 2, along with an urn holding Muffy 1. (Could the sequel to Helen's Birthday Party be "More remains of the day"?)

Although, clearly imagination is key in this place-setting sport, competitive tablescaping isn't just a free-wheeling exercise - there are rules. Tables are standardized to 40 by 60 inches and must be set for at least two people (or, apparently, pets, living or not). 

Behind the scenes prep. Napkin folding can take more time than one may think.

Judges take points off for obvious detractions such as unevenly spaced flatware or a wrinkled tablecloth. Scores are posted publicly, so fairgoers can see judges' notes along with the tablescape. Comments such as "inconsistent napkin pattern" or "a dessert spoon would have been nice" are just a few examples of reviews that lance the competitor's heart faster than an ill-placed fish knife.

As one who loves tablescapes, I can appreciate the work and devotion that goes into a beautiful and well-balanced design as well as the stress of timing and coordination to achieve that goal. My recent holiday tablescape suffered from some last minute changes and my flatware was slightly askew. If I was competing, I'd surely receive a judge's disdain in the comments section.

So whether you're facing a blank canvass tabletop in Los Angeles or an as-of-yet-unknow AFC team in New Orleans, we're looking forward to the next Super/"Souper" Bowl event!

Magical movie airs today, but not the only "wicked" good series to peek behind the curtain. BTS shares "behind the scenes" of first remote podcast

BTS Podcast Team & oft Millennial Guest, ready to record. But there's "behind the curtain" action, too!

Please pay attention to the podcasters behind the curtain!  😀

Today, the much hyped "Wicked" gets its theater release. The musical is based on a 1995 book and subsequent stage play, which, in turn, is based on the movie classic "Wizard of Oz" (from the OG book).  In a pivotal moment from the latter, Dorothy's curious and independent pup, Toto, scampers forward and pulls back the curtain to expose what's really behind the scary image and booming voice of the "great and powerful Oz": an ordinary human aided by a microphone and several free-wheeling controls. 

Filling many roles: tech support, roadies, and on-air personalities.

Though Barb's Tea Service podcast's mission is not to project a frightful, intimidating image on screen, there's still a lot more behind the scenes than plugging in a cord and  exchanging mostly, somewhat, occasionally, meaningful conversations about tea and its related topics. 

Boxing and unboxing equip.

Dining room quickly becomes remote podcast studio.

However, when some members of the team are tech-geeks and you have a studio that trusts you with their off-site equipment, it makes things much, much easier.

So, when we piloted our first BTS remote podcast, we assembled our crackerjack tech support group, aka, husband/co-host, Chris, and elder son/frequent guest, Rob, to perform double (actually, triple)-duty. "On location" at Rob's house, with its lovely lake views and ample space, our "roadies" unpacked microphones, cords and computers, quickly turning the dining room into a recording booth. We also had a dog on set, but, unlike high-energy Toto, house pup, Tera, was non-plussed by the podcast prep commotion, only rising from her in-the-way resting spot if she suspected even a morsel of food was enroute to table.

Tera, unlike Dorothy's pup, Toto, is not easily stirred, unless food is brought into the podcast. 

Once all the gear was in place and tested, we let the cameras-  and microphones - roll. Much like the podcast trio from our beloved Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building," our group consists of two Boomers and one Millennial. Similar to "Mabel," Rob finds amusement at his parents' exploration of hip, new trends that were popular with his generation ten years ago. But, to be sure, these millennials are also generous with their love and support of their elders (the 🧠, the 💗 and no one's shy*).

To see the entire premier remote podcast (and, bonus, it's only 30 minutes long!), click the link below:

BTS Premier Remote Podcast Nov.24 with special guest. Rob G -Halloween, magic, dining/tea etiquette.

 To see more of our Podcasts, check out our YouTube channel:  Barb's Tea Service - YouTube

*Boomer reference, a slight rework of the 1960's Tales of the Wizard of Oz cartoon theme song. IYKYK.

 

'The Empress', Season 2, airs this week! The Austrian royal, likened to Princess Diana, has an incredible story (and BTS visited her one-time Vienna home)

Schonbrunn Palace, residence of the Habspburgs and Sisi. Her story starts up again this week on Netflix

Do you know the history of Empress Elisabeth, married to Franz Joseph, the Emperor of Austria from 1848 to 1916? She was a beautiful Bavarian Duchess who wed her cousin at the age of 17, struggled with both depression and her in-laws and suffered a tragic death by assassination at the age of 60.

If that bit of history is unfamiliar - though sounding not too unlike another recent royal princess - we confess, it was new to us as well, until our visit to the Schönbrunn Palace in 2021. As part of a Blue Danube Cruise, we spent a few days in Vienna, and, along with indulging in the hometown culinary delights of Sacher tortes and Vienna sausages, we also immersed ourselves in a bit of Austrian royal history, spending a day at Schönbrunn Palace, summer home of the Habsburg Dynasty -including Empress Elisabeth, nicknamed, "Sisi". 

The Empress, Season 1, began in September, 2022. Season 2 begins this week.

Our first introduction to the wife of the penultimate Austrian emperor, was, in, of all palace places, the Schönbrunn gift shop. While securing Vienna tea and souvenir books, we encountered a plethora of "Sisi" merchandise. Asking our tour guide who this referenced and why so many shelves were devoted to "Sisi" items, she explained that Elisabeth was a very pretty empress who, in her time, was a favorite of the Austrian people. The tour guide added, "much like England's Princess Diana".

Vienna trip include Hotel Sacher (and torte)

. . . as well as sausages and ale.

Like Princess Di, Sisi, had a dramatic life filled with privilege, glamour, family feuds and crippling sadness. Popular with the commoners, both princesses rebelled again their respective "firms".  And, sadly, both royals died tragically.

But, Sisi's entre into the Habsburg dynasty would be prime material for today's reality shows. The Austrian ruler, a young bachelor needing a suitable match, had yet to find a bachelorette worthy of receiving a single rose. Franz Joseph's mother, Sophia, a domineering, take-charge match-maker (the show's "producer"), summoned her sister to bring her eldest daughter to town for an introduction to the Emperor. Sophia's sister complied with the request, but included her youngest daughter, Sisi, in the journey.

Franz Joseph a bachelor yet to bestow a rose.

Scheming relatives produce a match.

And, that's what caused our leading man to go off script. Franz Joseph was attracted to the lovely Sisi and insisted she's the one he'll marry.

Sisi's story captivated us immediately.  After our Schönbrunn visit, we did a deep dive into the Habsburg history as well as reading all our palace souvenir books and brochures. Imagine how excited we were, when Netflix aired "The Empress", the story of Sisi, on September 29, 2022 - the one year anniversary of the start of our Blue Danube trip.

Vienna souvenirs, teas, brochures and Habsburg books. 

We watched all six episodes, enjoyed them, and hoped a Season 2 would eventually follow - and this week, it is happening! It's great viewing, and even better, it's real "reality history".

The Empress, Sesson Two, begins Friday, November 22nd on Netflix. For more details, click on this site:  What's on Netflex.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

For more on this topic via BTS, check out the following links below:

BTS blog: Schonbrunn Palace. . .Discovering all the connections to Versailles (or the "real HouseQueens of Austria)  November 20, 2021

 Barbs Tea Service Podcast 11: Vienna, Empress Sisi, Pink House and Clotted Cream Controversy

BTS podcasters, Chris &Barb, along the Danube

Soaking in regional food & history

Miss Austen to air in May, 2025! Barb's Tea Service had the scoop in 2021. We loved the book, we can't wait for the film!

 

We're ready with remote control and teacup for Miss Austen, May, 2025

Miss Austen is coming to Masterpiece Theater in 2025 and we've been waiting patiently for four years!

In 2021, we featured Gil Hornsby's book, "Miss Austen" in a Barb's Tea Service's "Tuesday Tea and Tomes":  Miss Austen - We give it much approbation, but it's not about Jane. At the time, along with a high level summary of the Miss Austen story, we added some personal notes on the Jane Austen home sites we'd visited and concluded with a reference to an IMDB note that a movie based on the book was in development.  In those three years, a lot has happened and we have updates. Let's start with that blog's conclusion first. . . 

BTS reviewed Miss Austen in August, 2021. We noted then, the Miss Austen film was in development!

Miss Austen Updates:

The film:  Late last week, PBS' Masterpiece announced that Miss Austen, a period drama based on Gil Hornsby's book, will air May 4, 2025. Produced by Bonnie Productions for Masterpiece, in association with the BBC, filming was completed earlier this year. Selecting 2025 for the four-part series debut is especially fitting at marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth.

BTS Jane Austen site visits continue: Since 2021, we've added another Austen family home visit to our Jane-Austen-focus trips to England. Last year, we not only returned to Bath, but stayed three days in the home once lived in by Jane, Cassandra and their parents (Becoming Jane, Part I:  Taking tea, living in the Austen home).

Since our Miss Austen review, we returned to Bath

. . . and stayed at an Austen home in town!

For those new to the Miss Austen historical fiction tale, the focus is on the "other" Austen daughter who, after Jane's death, is on mission to preserve his sister's legacy. In an effort to scrub some of the more caustic and less wholesome communications penned by Jane, it's known that close relatives, including her sister Cassandra, burned many of the author's letters. Author Gil Hornsby, aided by research and her accommodating accommodations in the hometown of Cassandra's fiancé, Thomas Fowle, she cleverly weaves a story of the Austen's tight bond against the fractured relationship of the Fowle sisters. Add in the author's empathy to Cassandra's plight of being overshadowed by a famous sibling (Gil Hornsby is the sister of author, Nick Hornsby). 

We've waited a long time for the movie adaption and we're excited not only about it's upcoming debut, but also all the Jane Austen special events we're hosting or attending next year. It's going to be a great 250th birthday celebration. BTS will keep more updates coming, but one thing is for sure - you'll know where to find us, cup of Earl Grey in hand, on May 4th, 2025.  😉